Hayward Library Writing Group
This November, the Hayward Library Writing Group is trying something new to inspire members to set a writing goal for National November Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). We welcome new and existing members to participate. There are some to keep in mind depending on the level of feedback you want from the group.
We welcome submissions of any kind of writing (fiction & non-fiction of any genre, for any audience, or even poetry / essay / etc) of up to 5,000 words for written feedback from the group. To give members adequate time to read and comment on each others’ pieces, send your draft to haywardlibrarywritinggroup@gmail.com by end-of-day Tuesday, November 5th (11/5/24).
We also allow an option of bringing any kind of writing of no more than 1,000 words to read during the meeting for immediate feedback.
Bear in mind, this is not a class or workshop. The group consists of local writers who meet to discuss their writing once a month (on the second Thursday) and hopefully inspire each other to continue with their projects.
If you are interested in learning more or are ready to join us for our November reading, please let us know by sending an email to haywardlibrarywritinggroup@gmail.com.
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Goal for 11-14-24 meeting (optional writing prompt):
Either work on drafting / outlining / brainstorming something you’ve been meaning to work on
OR
Consider humanity’s response to ‘extraterrestrial first contact,’ i.e. an advanced alien species (not necessarily carbon-based) reveals itself to humanity. Think about a realistic point of CONFLICT that could plausibly play out based on today’s geopolitics, technology, diverse world cultures, etc. For example:
● The aliens immediately attempt to take control of all major human institutions “for our own good” (i.e. to prevent warfare / rampant ai / synthetic pandemic / etc).
● Most of the world reacts positively, but one or more authoritarian states quickly engages in combat because they consider the aliens to be hostile “invaders.”
● Although the aliens claim they come in peace, they secretly plan on terraforming the planet such that it will quickly become uninhabitable for humans.
● The aliens approach world leaders, but keep distance from the general public, leading to conspiracy theories amongst the public that their arrival is a hoax.
● Instead of “announcing” themselves, the aliens arrive and fail to recognize humans as an intelligent species, immediately beginning to colonize and exploit Earth’s natural resources.
● They do not come in peace. Perhaps they are a hive-mind-based insectoid species whose primary instinct is to dominate and control. How would humanity mount a defense?
● Similar to Arthur C. Clarke’s Childhood’s End, the aliens look like long-held religious views of ‘devils’ or ‘demons.’
● We’re the invaders. Somehow, humanity invents a way to travel to an alien world rich with natural resources and ideal for human colonization. How do we treat the indigenous lifeforms, intelligent or otherwise?
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